B\'s Promote Keith Gretzky; Hire P.J. Axelsson & Keith SullivanBoston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, August 20, that the club has promoted Keith Gretzky to Director of Amateur Scouting, hired P.J. Axelsson as a European Amateur Scout and hired Keith Sullivan as an Amateur Scout.

BOSTON, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, August 20, that the club has promoted Keith Gretzky to Director of Amateur Scouting, hired P.J. Axelsson as a European Amateur Scout and hired Keith Sullivan as an Amateur Scout.

Gretzky joined the Bruins organization in 2011 as an Amateur Scout based out of Ontario. In his new role as Director of Amateur Scouting, Gretzky will oversee the efforts of the team’s amateur scouting staff in addition to scouting those North American and European players eligible for the annual NHL Entry Draft. He previously served as an Amateur Scout with the Phoenix Coyotes from 2001 to 2005 before being promoted to the Director of Amateur Scouting in 2006.

In his hockey career, Gretzky spent five seasons in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) and was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round (56th overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. The former centerman played in various North American and European minor leagues from 1982-1993 before embarking on a head coaching career in the West Coast Hockey League and United Hockey League from 1995-2000. Keith Gretzky is the brother of NHL Hall of Famer, Wayne Gretzky.

Axelsson joins the Bruins Organization as an Amateur Scout after spending 11 seasons (1997 - 2009) wearing the Spoked-B. The former Bruins forward skated in 797 career NHL games – all with the Black & Gold – notching 103 goals and 184 assists for 287 points, while racking up 276 penalty minutes. The winger was selected by the Boston Bruins in the seventh round (177th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.

Axelsson was an active contributor to the Greater Boston Community in his time as a Bruin, starting the annual “PJ Drive,” where fans are encouraged to bring new, unused pajamas to a specified game as well as locations all over Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, which are then donated to charity.

Following his time with the Bruins, he played for Frolunda HC in the Swedish Elite League from 2010-2013 before announcing his retirement from pro hockey on April 10, 2013. Born in Kungalv, Sweden, Axelsson will be based out of Sweden and responsible for scouting European Amateur Prospects.

Sullivan joins the Bruins as an Amateur Scout after spending four seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes (2007-2011) and one year with the Winnipeg Jets (2011-12). In 2012-13, Sullivan served as the General Manager for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League. He will be based out of Omaha, NE.